CREATE A POLICY OR POSITION STATEMENT
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Sample language to help craft a position for your chamber:
To continue powering [our state’s] competitive economy, we support policies that facilitate the expansion of our growing clean energy economy, modernize the grid, and keep energy prices as affordable as possible.
We support clean energy-related economic development opportunities and policies that diversify our economic base, encourage job creation, generate new sources of tax revenue, and attract sustainable business development companies with strong clean energy goals.
We support policies that acknowledge the importance of long-term environmental sustainability. We believe that strong economic development and sustainability policies can and should work together for the good of our state.
We support the rapidly growing clean energy economy that has helped establish [our state] as a national leader in clean energy development. We encourage the state legislature to continue to look for opportunities to grow this segment of our state's economy.
In the face of increasing energy demand, we support the continued expansion of clean energy sources of generation and infrastructure modernization to ensure reliable and affordable energy in our state.
We support the continued transition of the energy sector to clean, renewable energy sources that reduce our nation's reliance on fossil fuels and promote both national and economic security.
As clean energy and climate policies are increasingly linked to economic growth and community well-being, adopting a policy or position statement demonstrates your commitment to sustainability and positions you as a forward-thinking leader poised to drive innovation, attract investment, and foster a resilient economy.
Collaborate with your board or public policy/government affairs committee to determine your chamber’s sustainability, clean energy, or climate position. You can simply add a statement to your website or incorporate language into your existing public policy platform. By addressing these critical subjects, your chamber will showcase your priorities and leadership and provide clear guidance for staff in external discussions and media interactions.
CHAMBERS IN ACTION
Click below to see examples from around the country.
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In its Business Advocacy & Public Policy Guide, the Billings Chamber of Commerce highlights support for:
“Initiatives to ensure U.S. energy independence
Exploring opportunities to bring new green energy industries to Billings
Efforts to modernize and strengthen Montana’s energy grid to improve reliability”
Additionally, they oppose:
“Policies designed to slow or prevent the development of an innovative green energy business sector”
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The Boulder Chamber leads its community with an engaging and comprehensive policy program. The Chamber’s 2024 Policy Framework has an extensive issue and position statement on climate and energy for a collaborative future.
“We believe clean energy powers the future of business and recognize that the sustainability of Boulder’s economy depends on new developments in clean energy industries like wind, solar and smart-grid applications. At the same time, advancements in these technologies and the pursuit of new mechanisms for delivering electric services must adhere to critical values, such as price competitiveness, system reliability, and adequate access to energy resources.”
Boulder Chamber’s bottom line on climate and energy: “We support the expeditious achievement of clean energy and climate protection goals and will be a leader in that endeavor. Achieving clean energy goals and local innovation is dependent on partnerships across the public and private sectors that facilitate the exchange of ideas and the understanding of impacts.”
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“Government policy towards clean energy is changing rapidly at the same time as consumer demand for renewable resources is increasing. As we work to ensure government policy best represents the interests of businesses and individuals in the Carson Valley, we plan to more directly engage in bringing the clean energy sector to our region and our state through sound policy.
The future of the Carson Valley requires renewed investment in our business community, and clean energy is being used to drive workforce development and economic growth throughout Nevada. Carson Valley can capitalize on these opportunities to make our region an attractive place for both existing and new technologies and businesses and to bring new, well-paying, highly-skilled jobs here.”
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The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and Greater Iowa City, Inc. released their 2024 Public Policy Priorities with significant input from their combined 2,000 members, investors, partners, and community stakeholders.
“Iowa’s use of renewable energy sources is the highest in the nation according to a recent report by the American Clean Power Association. Smart sustainability practices are key to business attraction. Companies seeking to relocate are increasingly looking to find 100% renewable energy sources to power their businesses and attract a younger workforce. It is essential policy makers work with private industry to address known and emerging cyber threats and incentivize smart cybersecurity practices. We must continue to leverage new funding sources to develop strategies and incentives that prepare workers for the future and allow businesses to grow and thrive.”
Additionally, they “support policies, rules and regulations that encourage the production of renewable, alternative energy resources, and biomanufacturing such as ethanol, nuclear, hydrogen, solar and wind that are environmentally responsible and keep energy costs down.”
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The Charleston Metro Chamber’s 2024 Legislative Agenda highlights electric vehicles as a central part of their infrastructure priorities:
“Support funding for electric vehicle charging stations and incentives for the infrastructure needed.
Create a solution for electric and alternative fuel vehicles to pay their fair share of the road use fee.”
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“Priorities:
Support efforts to streamline and grow our economic incentive toolbox, including the use of Payment in Lieu of Tax (PILOT) and Tax Increment Finance (TIF) to enhance our economic development opportunities in Hamilton County
Support energy efficiency and conservation initiatives that preserve our natural beauty while simultaneously avoiding a negative economic impact to the business community
Support federal efforts that will improve interagency coordination and engagement with the broad stakeholder community to reduce the risks from climate change for companies and communities across the country, prepare ahead of environmentally driven crises, and strengthen our national security
Support our state’s leading role in the growing electric vehicle market
Support efforts by city and county to invest in more electric vehicle charging stations”
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Environmental Sustainbility & Climate Action Task Force Report
“Guiding Principles
A reasonable and predictable regulatory environment will attract and retain private-sector investment in decarbonization strategies.
Market-based solutions will enable cross-sector collaboration that will balance carbon removal and sequestration and will capitalize on the benefits of transitioning to closed-loop systems.
Targets and goals based on best available science and quality data provide the most realistic action plan for achieving targets. Lowerst-cost options must be identified and pursued.
Solutions must be able to scale regionally and nationally.
A policy and economic environment that fosters innovation and public and private-sector investment will allow for study and identification of new solutions in areas where targets cannot yet be feasibly met, either because of cost or technology.”
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Climate & Energy Public Policy
“Regions that best prepare, mitigate, and adapt to the realities of climate change can also unlock and retain economic opportunities. New clean industries and products are developed in our region, driving job growth and innovation. Fostering these opportunities, and ensuring that trained, diverse talent is available to these employers should be a priority as the economy makes this transition.”
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“Sustainability is not just a buzzword for businesses in the region. It is a catalyst for innovation, collaboration and growth across Greater Cleveland. Our companies are focused on initiatives and cross-sector partnerships that enable growth and competitiveness while also creating a better environment in our region.”
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State & Federal Policy Agendas
“The Partnership supports policies and balanced regulatory practices that ensure energy remains safe, affordable and reliable, while promoting Iowa’s renewable energy sources and avoiding directives or cross subsidies.”
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Leading the Global Energy Transition
“As the Energy Capital of the World, Houston has both the opportunity and responsibility to lead the energy transition to a more efficient, energy-abundant, low-carbon world. We know that global demand for energy is growing, particularly in developing nations. At the same time, there is compelling evidence that high levels of CO2 emissions are impacting our climate. It’s a problem that must be addressed.
The Partnership is committed to working alongside the business community, stakeholders, elected officials and others to identify solutions to take on the dual challenge of meeting the world’s increasing energy needs while lowering the world’s carbon footprint. No other city in the world has the expertise and the know-how to solve this problem. As a region, we must combine our scientific, academic, and commercial efforts to work to innovate and develop new technologies that address these problems.”
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Statement on Electric Vehicles
“Kentucky has seen significant investments in electric vehicle production announced recently. To support the increase in electric vehicles and ensure that Kentucky becomes a hub for this growing market sector, Kentucky must implement a visible, robust, and reliable fast-charging network across our state’s roadways.”
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2024 Legislative Business Issues
Under its energy policies, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce advocates for:
“A diversified, cost-effective fuel mix including clean coal, natural gas, nuclear, wind, solar, storage, biomass, biofuels and North American petroleum”
“Investment in new, cost-effective, energy technologies, including development and deployment of new dispatchable zero- and very low-carbon technologies such as carbon capture, new nuclear, hydrogen and advanced storage, as well as the expansion of customer-owned generation including, among other resources, cogeneration, microgrids and small-scale distributed generation, which takes advantage of the load adjustment capabilities of customers”
“A transition plan that maintains reliability of the electric grid”
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The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce addresses energy at all three levels of government, with language directed at innovation and economic competitiveness.
2024 Key Federal Policy Objectives include support for:
“Agriculture’s vital role in developing sustainable energy”
“Market-based, long-term plans to create more available and affordable energy”
The chamber adds “Action on Climate Change will require collaboration among all stakeholders. Inaction is not a viable option, and we believe business can and should play an important role in developing innovations to reduce greenhouse gases.”
2024 Key State Policy Objectives:
“Our public energy sector, which is unique to our state, is another central component of successful economic growth, as is our private energy sector. Lincoln and Nebraska should continue to be a welcoming economy that highly values inclusion, diversity, and supports equal opportunity.”
2024 Key Local Policy Objectives:
“The Chamber recognizes that energy is a catalyst for economic growth and job creation in southeast Nebraska. Demand for renewable energy is increasing, especially among Fortune 100 companies, and we are confident they will continue to drive demand. As we work to attract investments from many of these businesses to our community, we will continue engaging industry leaders across the energy spectrum to drive an advanced, reliable, affordable, diversified, and “all-of-the-above” energy economy.”
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“Promote a forward-thinking, “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that supports grid modernization and reliability and improves access to natural gas, nuclear, biomass, geothermal, renewables, solar, and wind power.”
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“The chamber supports:
The growth of clean energy technologies and expansion of Nevada’s clean energy economy.
Recent legislative efforts to increase electric transmission projects and the continued efforts to become energy-independent by prioritizing renewable energy resources.
Development of utility scale solar, geothermal, wind, and storage technologies on private and public lands and exporting the energy outside of the state for the benefit of the ratepayer.
Encouraging members to support technological innovations and efforts to electrify the transportation sector across the state.
The development of EV charging stations and infrastructure for all technologies.
Solutions that assist with the mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
Mining the abundant “critical minerals” needed to utilize new technologies, including lithium and other elements widely available in the state.
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in business operations, particularly those that have a disparate impact on businesses, consumers or disadvantaged communities.
Continuation of its “Green Business Certificate” and “Green Dining District” training programs to prepare businesses for environmental challenges and consumer priorities.
Transparent energy policies that include well-designed market mechanisms and a fair regulatory environment.”
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“The chamber supports coming together to address climate change and clean energy transition with practical, affordable, flexible, predictable, and durable policies.”
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“The Chamber believes that energy production and a clean environment can co-exist. Environmental and energy policies should be based on sound, cost effective scientific principles that will enhance job creation in the region.”
Want help crafting your chamber’s statement on clean energy or climate?
Reach out to info@chambersforinnovation.com for personalized assistance.